Posted by ColumbiaDC Welcomes the World Champion Nationals
Vs. 
Saturday, April 4, 2020, at 04:05 PM
The reigning Champion Nationals will soon be home. Join us in celebrating one of the most amazing seasons in baseball history and rooting for an encore at our annual Cherry Blossom Baseball event.
Seats: 50 Baseline-Box seats at a group discount, Section 111, Rows N-P (Sales End on March 26th.)
Metro: Green line at the Navy Yard station (half a block away); Orange, Blue or Silver lines at the Capitol South station (15min walk)
2019 was all about comebacks. In May, as a 12 and 19 team, 12 games below .500, the Nats seemed lost. Signing Gerardo Parra made 2019 “The Year of the Baby Shark” and dugout dances. Turner’s return gave the Nats a nine fingered Shortstop. Rendon’s and Soto’s homers and RBIs powered the offense. Scherzer fought injuries and Strasburg kept winning. Zim returned and Rizzo added Daniel Hudson and Asdrubal Cabrera. Their powerful late-season performances strengthened the Nats. On September 3, the Nats overcame the Mets’ 6 run lead with a walk-off 7 run ninth highlighted by Kurt Suzuki’s 3 run blast. Fans started to believe anything was possible. The Nats closed the season with 8 straight wins to reach the Wildcard game.
The playoffs were incredible. The Nats came from behind to win every elimination game. Soto’s eighth-inning single powered the Nats’ 4-3 Wildcard win against Brewers’ All-Star Closer, Josh Hader. Rendon’s and Soto’s back-to-back 8th inning homers off All-Star Clayton Kershaw tied Game 5 and Kendrick’s 10th inning Grand Slam gave the Nats a 7-3 win over the Dodgers. After sweeping the Cards in 4 games, with the World Series tied, the Astros led 2 to 0 in the 7th inning of Game 7. Rendon homered and Soto walked. Kendrick tagged Will Harris (who had replaced Zach Greinke) with a two-run homer off the right-field foul pole for a Nats’ lead and ultimately a 6-2 win that made them 2019 World Series Champions.
What will 2020 hold? The biggest question, with Rendon gone, is a variation of a classic Abbott and Costello routine. This year it’s “Who’s on third?” Rookie Carter Kieboom will get the first crack. Starlin Castro (most likely to start at second) and Asdrubal Cabrera are also in the picture. First base could be shared by Zim, lefty Eric Thames, and Howie Kendrick. Over the season we will learn whether: “Ten Finger Turner” can man the 3-hole in the batting order? Aging veterans Kendrick, Suzuki, Scherzer and Zimmerman, all 35 or older, can continue to produce at a high level? Victor Robles can fulfill his potential and become a major threat? and How great will Juan Soto become? The Nats should have one of the best (and albeit highest paid) starting rotations in the Majors. Late inning bullpen stalwarts Doolittle and Hudson will be joined by Will Harris. Look for returning arms Ranney, Suero, Elias, and Strickland plus several new additions to strengthen the bullpen. Be there on the 4th to cheer for the Nats and watch another amazing season unfold.